State v. Jordan, Unpublished Decision (3-1-2002)
State v. Jordan, Unpublished Decision (3-1-2002)
Opinion of the Court
On May 23, 2000, appellant was indicted on one count of aggravated burglary, in violation of R.C.
Appellant filed his notice of appeal with this court September 26, 2001, and the case was placed on the court's accelerated docket.
Appellant's appointed counsel submitted a motion to withdraw as counsel on appeal on November 9, 2001, pursuant to Anders v. California (1967),
Counsel for appellant has raised the following potential assignments of error:
"I. Whether the trial court erred in accepting a plea of guilty?
"II. Whether the trial court erred in sentencing the defendant to sixteen months?"
Regarding appellant's first proposed assignment of error, we find that the trial court did not err in accepting appellant's guilty plea. On the contrary, the trial court extensively questioned appellant pursuant to Crim.R. 11(C)(2) before accepting his plea. The court began by questioning appellant as to his ability to read and understand English. The court described the maximum penalty appellant faced and the rights he was waiving by entering a guilty plea, and determined that appellant was entering his plea voluntarily.
Thus, appellant's first proposed assignment of error is without merit.
Regarding appellant's second proposed assignment of error, a trial court may sentence a defendant to six to eighteen months incarceration for the commission of a fourth degree felony offense. See R.C.
The transcript of the sentencing hearing in this case shows that the trial court considered statements made, including a victim impact statement, appellant's record, and a presentence report, and found several of the factors enumerated in R.C.
The court then considered the seriousness and recidivism of the offense, pursuant to R.C.
"The facts surrounding this offense are also important to note * * * the defendant had broken into the apartment of the victim and in other words kicked in the door. The victim in this case was the defendant's former girlfriend. The defendant armed himself with what is referred to as a butcher-type knife leaving minor injury but injury as a result of a cut on the back. * * * The defendant bent the knife used to cut the victim and then fled the apartment. * * * [T]he victim suffered serious psychological harm. She, in fact, believed at the time that she was, in fact, going to lose her life and continues to have fear for her safety. We also find that the relationship with the victim facilitated the offense."
Referring to one of appellant's prior convictions for which he was granted probation, the judge added:
"We note that * * * the defendant was granted and given the opportunity to address his use and abuse of illicit drugs as well as address any mental health issues that were present."
Accordingly, we find that appellant's sentence was not contrary to law, and therefore his second potential assignment of error is without merit.
Upon review of the entire record of proceedings in the trial court, we find no other grounds for a meritorious appeal. Therefore, this court finds the issues raised in the Anders brief to be without merit and wholly frivolous. The motion to withdraw filed by appellant's court-appointed counsel is found well-taken and is hereby granted.
The judgment of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. Appellant is ordered to pay the costs of this appeal.
Melvin L. Resnick, J., and Mark L. Pietrykowski, P.J., CONCUR.
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